A1 Expression Neutral

Nem tetszik.

I don't like this.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential Hungarian phrase to express that something doesn't appeal to your taste, appearance, or general approval.

  • Means: 'I don't like it' (specifically regarding appearance or immediate impression).
  • Used in: Shopping for clothes, trying new food, or reacting to an idea.
  • Don't confuse: With 'nem szeretem', which implies a deeper, habitual dislike or lack of love.
👀 + ❌ = Nem tetszik.

Explanation at your level:

At this level, 'nem tetszik' is a simple tool to say 'no' to things. You use it for objects, colors, and simple ideas. You don't need to worry about complex grammar; just point and say 'Ez nem tetszik.' It helps you survive shopping and basic social interactions.
You start using the dative case ('Nekem nem tetszik') and plural forms ('Ezek nem tetszenek'). You can now explain *why* something doesn't please you using basic adjectives like 'túl drága' (too expensive) or 'túl nagy' (too big).
You can use the phrase to discuss abstract concepts, like a movie plot or a work schedule. You begin to use past and future tenses and can soften the phrase with adverbs like 'annyira' (so much) or 'igazán' (really).
You understand the nuance between 'nem tetszik' and 'nem szeretem'. You can use it in professional settings with appropriate register shifts and can handle the 'ikes' verb conjugation nuances in more complex sentence structures.
You analyze the aesthetic and psychological implications of 'tetszik'. You use it to critique art, literature, and social trends, often employing sophisticated synonyms like 'nem felel meg az ízlésemnek' or 'esztétikailag kifogásolható'.
You master the cognitive linguistics behind the phrase, understanding how the dative-subject construction reflects a specific Hungarian worldview of passive perception. You can use the phrase ironically, sarcastically, or within complex legal/literary frameworks.

Bedeutung

Expressing dislike for something.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

Hungarians often use 'nem tetszik' as a starting point for a debate. It's not seen as a conversation ender, but an invitation to discuss tastes. In some rural areas, 'nem tetszik' can be used even more broadly to mean 'it doesn't suit the occasion' or 'it's not proper'. The slang 'nem jön be' is almost more common than 'nem tetszik' among people under 30, especially regarding music and fashion. In Hungarian business, 'nem tetszik' is often softened to 'nem tartom szerencsésnek' (I don't consider it fortunate) to avoid appearing too aggressive.

🎯

The 'Sajnos' Sandwich

If you want to be polite, always put 'Sajnos' (unfortunately) before 'nem tetszik'. It makes you sound like a cultured speaker rather than a grumpy one.

⚠️

Plural Trap

If you are talking about 'them' (plural), you MUST add '-enek'. 'Nem tetszik a cipő' (one shoe) vs 'Nem tetszenek a cipők' (the shoes).

Bedeutung

Expressing dislike for something.

🎯

The 'Sajnos' Sandwich

If you want to be polite, always put 'Sajnos' (unfortunately) before 'nem tetszik'. It makes you sound like a cultured speaker rather than a grumpy one.

⚠️

Plural Trap

If you are talking about 'them' (plural), you MUST add '-enek'. 'Nem tetszik a cipő' (one shoe) vs 'Nem tetszenek a cipők' (the shoes).

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the correct form of 'tetszik' (singular or plural).

Nekem ezek a cipők nem ______.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: tetszenek

Since 'cipők' (shoes) is plural, the verb must be 'tetszenek'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Choose the right way to say 'I don't like this'.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Nekem nem tetszik ez.

The person must be in the dative (Nekem) and the object in the nominative (ez).

Match the phrase to the situation.

You are at a store and the shirt is too bright.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Nem tetszik.

'Nem ízlik' is for taste, 'Nem tetszik' is for appearance.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Hogy tetszik az új autóm? B: Bocsánat, de ______.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: nem tetszik

The question uses 'tetszik', so the natural answer uses the same verb.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Tetszik vs. Ízlik vs. Szeret

Nem tetszik
Appearance Looks
Nem ízlik
Flavor Taste
Nem szeretem
Emotion Love/Habit

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

Yes, but it refers to their physical appearance or their 'vibe'. It's like saying 'He's not my type'.

'Nem tetszik' is for how something looks or the general idea. 'Nem ízlik' is only for the flavor of food/drink.

Not inherently. Hungarians are direct. However, adding 'nekem' (to me) makes it sound more like a personal opinion and less like a universal fact, which is more polite.

Use the past tense: 'Nem tetszett'.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

nem ízlik

specialized form

I don't like the taste of it.

🔗

nem szeretem

similar

I don't like/love it.

🔄

nem jön be

synonym

I'm not into it.

🔗

randa

builds on

Ugly.

Wo du es verwendest

👕

Shopping for clothes

Eladó: Hogy tetszik ez a kék ing?

Vásárló: Sajnos nem tetszik, túl sötét.

neutral
🍲

At a restaurant (visuals)

Pincér: Milyen a leves?

Vendég: Az íze jó, de a tálalás nem tetszik.

neutral
📅

Discussing a plan

Kolléga: Legyen a megbeszélés szombaton?

Te: Ez nekem nem tetszik. A szombat pihenőnap.

neutral
💑

Dating/Socializing

Barát: Hogy tetszik az új srác?

Barátnő: Hát, nem tetszik. Nem az esetem.

informal
🖼️

Art Gallery

Látogató A: Ez a szobor zseniális!

Látogató B: Nekem egyáltalán nem tetszik. Túl absztrakt.

neutral
🏠

Home renovation

Feleség: Milyen legyen a fal színe?

Férj: Ez a zöld nem tetszik. Legyen inkább fehér.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Nem' as 'No' and 'Tetszik' as 'Tests it'. If it fails the test, you say: Nem tetszik!

Visual Association

Imagine a judge at a talent show holding up a big red 'X' sign. The 'X' is the 'Nem', and the stage is where the thing 'Tetszik' (appears).

Rhyme

Nem tetszik a keksz, / Ha túl sokat eszel, beteg leszel.

Story

You go to a Hungarian market. A vendor shows you a bright purple hat. You look at it, it 'appears' (tetszik) to your eyes, but your brain says 'No' (Nem). You point and say 'Nem tetszik'. The vendor nods, understanding your taste.

Word Web

tetszikszeretízlikszépcsúnyavéleményízlésválaszt

Herausforderung

Go to an online Hungarian clothing store (like Zoot.hu) and look at 5 items. Say 'Tetszik' or 'Nem tetszik' for each one out loud.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

No me gusta

Spanish doesn't distinguish between aesthetic 'pleasing' and general 'liking' as strictly as Hungarian.

French high

Ça ne me plaît pas

French often uses 'je n'aime pas' for things Hungarian would strictly use 'nem tetszik' for.

German high

Es gefällt mir nicht

German 'gefallen' is slightly more formal than the everyday Hungarian 'tetszik'.

Japanese moderate

Ki ni iranai (気に入らない)

Japanese is more about internal harmony, while Hungarian is about external appearance/appeal.

Arabic high

La yu'jibuni (لا يعجبني)

Arabic usage is very broad, covering everything from food to complex ideas.

Chinese low

Wǒ bù xǐhuān (我不喜欢)

The grammatical direction is reversed compared to Hungarian.

Korean moderate

Ma-eume deulji ana (마음에 들지 않아)

It sounds more poetic/emotional than the functional Hungarian 'nem tetszik'.

Portuguese low

Não gosto

The common everyday form is active ('I don't like'), not passive ('It doesn't please me').

Easily Confused

Nem tetszik. vs. Nem tetszel.

Learners say this when they mean 'I don't like this'.

This means 'I don't like YOU (physically)'. Use 'Nem tetszik' for things.

Nem tetszik. vs. Nem akarom.

Mixing up 'I don't like it' with 'I don't want it'.

You can like something but not want it, or want something you don't like (like medicine).

FAQ (4)

Yes, but it refers to their physical appearance or their 'vibe'. It's like saying 'He's not my type'.

'Nem tetszik' is for how something looks or the general idea. 'Nem ízlik' is only for the flavor of food/drink.

Not inherently. Hungarians are direct. However, adding 'nekem' (to me) makes it sound more like a personal opinion and less like a universal fact, which is more polite.

Use the past tense: 'Nem tetszett'.

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